$43m probe may extend to other security agencies

INDICATIONS emerged Friday night that the ongoing probe of the leadership of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) over the Ikoyi N15 billion haul may extend to other security agencies.

Findings revealed that the fund approval secured by the Ayodele Oke-led NIA for the release of the controversial operational fund was also likely got by the leadership of other security agencies during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Investigators are said to be interested in why heads of other agencies during the Jonathan era did not leave a kobo behind from their own funds running into billions of naira and why they did not include the details in their handover notes.

This fresh angle to the cash saga, according to sources, may compel a recall of the immediate past service chiefs by the Yemi Osinbajo probe panel for questioning.

The scope of the probe by the Osinbajo panel may extend to these ex-service chiefs “who did not leave any trace of the money in the vaults of their organisations.” Oke is said to have written the authorities in January 2016 informing them of the existence of the money with his agency.

“How the so-called operational fund was expended by the other security agencies is creating ripples in government circles with some forces pushing for a full probe of all the agencies and the roles of their former heads in the use of the money,” a source told Saturday Tribune on Friday.

It was gathered that while the nation gasps at the enormity of the funds pumped into the “special operations,” and the secrecy surrounding it, insiders involved in the collection and use of the multimillion dollar security money are describing it as “a normal practice in security circles all over the world for security agencies, including the likes of the CIA.”

The current service chiefs are also said to have been pencilled in for questioning by the panel next week when the suspended NIA boss is also reportedly scheduled to appear.

Magu sighted at Osinbajo’s office

Meanwhile, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday with files and other documents.

He was believed to have appeared before the Osinbajo panel with his reports. Although EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, told Saturday Tribune that his boss was at the Villa just to pray, it was gathered that he was at the Vice President’s office before attending the Jumat service with President Muhammadu Buhari and other intelligence chiefs.

Saturday Tribune further gathered that Oke has also lined up a series of documentary and electronic evidence to prove his case of not playing dirty with the said money.

Sources close to the probe stated that the toughest case Oke would have to answer is the involvement of his wife “as cash manager for the agency when she isn’t a staff member.”

A source noted that even while the president was convinced Oke had enough evidence to show that he informed relevant authorities of the existence of the money in his care, he (Buhari) wants his “explanation on the involvement of his wife in the handling of highly sensitive security-related matters.”

Abuja, Lagos mansions under watch 

Meanwhile, highbrow estates and properties in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, are now said to be under security surveillance as efforts are intensified to fish out more hidden monies.

High-profile apartments which are not occupied but are being manned by private security guards are being touted in security circle as the most likely abode of such alleged slush funds.

It is believed that “looters” would want to distance themselves from their loot by not bringing same to their places of abode.

With the banks increasingly becoming a hostile environment for monies whose sources could not be satisfactorily explained to security agencies, whistle-blowers are reportedly being encouraged by the Federal Government to beam their searchlight on such estates and properties.

Saturday Tribune was also competently informed that despite the existence of the Osinbajo probe panel, the EFCC is going ahead with its investigation of suspects in the Ikoyi cash haul.